Square a pieced, appliqued, or embroidered block to a true 8-1/2in and fussy cut a motif to match, with a single ruler. The centered horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines land on the block's seam lines for a square trim on all four sides, and the printed 1in squares with seam-allowance holes turn motif isolation into a step you can repeat. Eight and a half inches is one of the most-used block sizes in patchwork, so this is a square many quilters return to constantly.

What's Included

• The 8-1/2in Square It Up or Fussy Cut Square ruler
• Fully illustrated step-by-step instructions
• Fabric and notions are not included

How to Use It

To square up a block, set the centered vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines on the block's seam lines and trim the outside edge. On a four-patch, the horizontal and vertical lines sit on the seams; on a quarter-square triangle, the diagonal lines follow the seams. The quarter-inch seam allowance is printed around the entire outer edge, so the trimmed block finishes at the right size. An applique or embroidered block is centered under the ruler the same way and trimmed.

To fussy cut, center the motif inside the printed 1in solid squares, then mark through the drilled holes at the half-inch points to add the seam allowance. The holes fit the tip of a water-soluble marker. Connect the marks and cut to size.

The embedded gripper dots hold the fabric when light pressure is applied and release when it is not, so the ruler slides into position and then stays put for the cut. This is a squaring and fussy-cut ruler built around centered lines, printed squares, and seam-allowance holes rather than a full measuring grid; blocks larger than 8-1/2in call for the next size up.

Perfect For

• Squaring pieced blocks up to 8-1/2in to an exact size
• Centering and trimming applique or embroidered blocks
• Fussy cutting motifs up to 8in with the seam allowance built in
• Trimming sampler and block-of-the-month blocks to a consistent size

Why You'll Love This Tool

The 8-1/2in size is a workhorse. A large share of pieced blocks finish at 8in, and squaring each one to the same 8-1/2in unfinished measurement is what keeps rows and sashing lining up later. The centered lines give a reference in both directions at once, and the quarter-inch seam allowance printed around the outside edge means the block leaves the mat ready to sew.

On the fussy-cut side, the 1in printed squares and marker holes let a motif be centered and cut with the seam allowance already accounted for, so a set of block centers matches across a whole quilt. The embedded gripper dots hold the fabric under light pressure and let the ruler glide when the pressure lifts, which matters most on the repeated cuts a full quilt asks for.

For blocks that finish larger than 8in, a 9-1/2in, 12-1/2in, or 14-1/2in square carries the same features at more reach.

Product Details

• Brand: Creative Grids
• Item #: CGRSQ8
• Designer: Penny Haren
• Category: Quilting Ruler
• Type: Ruler
• Squares Blocks Up To: 8-1/2 inches
• Fussy-Cut Squares: 1in to 8in (printed solid squares in 1in increments)
• Seam-Allowance Holes: 1-1/2in to 7-1/2in
• Total Size: 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches
• Markings: Centered horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines; 1/4in seam allowance on all edges; printed 1in solid squares; drilled marking holes
• Material: Non-slip acrylic
• Includes: Illustrated instructions
• Made in the USA

Need a Different Size?

The Square It Up or Fussy Cut Square also comes in 6-1/2in, 9-1/2in, 12-1/2in, and 14-1/2in. Browse the full range in Creative Grids Square It Up & Fussy Cut Rulers, or see every Creative Grids square in Creative Grids Square Rulers.